Automatic nipping and folding roller control system

ABSTRACT

A newspaper-printing machine folder has two pairs of nipping rollers and one pair of folding rolls. The rollers of each pair are held against one another under the pressure force of a spring or the like elastic means. The setting of the position of the rollers is adjustable according to the thickness of the product to be folded. Additional pressure force balancing devices are provided on the rollers. Sensing elements are arranged for detecting of differences of the roller pressure, controlling the motive power-operated adjusting devices for resetting the roller position to the originally set force.

Unite States Patent Inventors Richard Woessner lFairlawn; Jack lBryer, Paramus, N.J.; Ralph L. Fusco, Commack, N.Y. Appl. No. 814,668 Filed Apr. 9, 1969 Patented Sept. 28, 1971 Assignee Wood industries, llnc.

lllainiield, NJ.

AUTOMATIC NIPPTNG AND FOLDING ROLLER CONTROL SYSTEM 6 Claims, 1 Drawing Fig.

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Field of Search [56] Relierences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,660,426 11/1953 Griner 270/76 3,188,192 6/1965 Parobeck et al 226/11 3,372,848 3/1968 MacDonald et al. 226/11 Primary ExaminerRobert W. Michell Assistant Examiner-L. R. Oremland Atlorney- Pennie, Edmond, Morton Taylor & Adams ABSTRACT: A newspaper-printing machine folder has two pairs of nipping rollers and one pair of folding rolls. The rollers of each pair are held against one another under the pres sure force of a spring or the like elastic means. The setting of the position of the rollers is adjustable according to the thickness of the product to be folded. Additional pressure force balancing devices are provided on the rollers. Sensing elements are arranged for detecting of differences ofthe roller pressure, controlling the motive power-operated adjusting devices for resetting the roller position to the originally set force.

AUTOMATIC NIPPING AND FOLDING ROLLER CONTROL SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention related to folders of web-printing machines, and particularly to folders for longitudinally folding of a plurality of associated paper webs and of the type having fold-off rolls for the transversal second fold.

Folders of this type have normally two pairs of nipping rollers beneath the former folders for pulling the printed paper webs and for holding the webs while they are cut off by the cutting cylinder, and a pair of fold-off rolls beneath the folding blade cylinder for performing the transversal second fold of the product. Modern web-printing machines, particularly newspaper-printing machines, are built for producing newspapers with a great number of pages. To that extent a corresponding number of paper webs are printed and are subsequently associated in the folder for being processed therein. The associated webs which have been longitudinally folded over the former folder reach a sizeable thickness as they are pulled by the nipping rollers. In order to secure a reliable web transport, these nipping rollers, which are arranged in cooperating pairs, are pressed against one another and their setting is adjusted for a certain thickness of the associated webs. The fold-off rollers beneath the folding blade cylinder of the folder where the cutoff signatures receive the transversal second fold, must be obviously also set for the thickness of the product.

It can happen during the production run of the printing machine that one of the paper webs breaks. Although web break detectors will immediately cause the machine to stop, it takes several seconds until the machine will come to a standstill, and during this time more than 100 ft. of the other, unbroken webs keep running into the folder. However, since the total thickness of the associated webs is suddenly decreased due to the missing broken web, the danger exists that the web transport by the nipping rollers and the action of the fold-off rolls becomes less positive if these rollers are not sufficiently self-adjusting to the suddenly changed condition. The result would be a more or less severe paper jamming in the folder which takes quite some time to clean out. Furthermore, severe damages on the folding cylinders and on their mechanism can be caused by such jamming. This, of course, is an extremely undesirable time loss during the tightly scheduled production of the newspaper edition.

This problem is known, and a number of devices exist for preventing such occurrences, most of which have not been very efficient in the past.

SUMMARY The invention consists in such novel features, construction arrangements, combinations of parts and improvements as may be shown and described in connection with the apparatus herein disclosed by way of example only and as illustrative of a preferred embodiment. The basic concept of the invention concerns structural elements for maintaining of a set pressure force of the nipping rollers and of the fold-off rolls when a sudden change of the thickness of the running paper web during the folding process occurs, and it concerns also sensing elements for detecting of such change and power-operated devices for controlling of mechanisms for correcting of the fault. Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereafter and in part will be obvious herefrom or may be learned by practicing the invention, the same being realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

It is an object of this invention to provide elastic and resilient members on one of each pair of nipping rollers for maintaining a certain pressure force thereon.

A further object of the invention is to provide poweroperated force control means for setting of the pressure of the other roller of each pair of nipping rollers.

Another object of the invention is to provide sensing elements on the elastic and resilient member of one roller of each pair of nipping rollers for controlling the power-operated pressure means of the other roller of each pair of nipping rollers.

Furthermore it is an object of the invention to provide power-operated force control means for setting of the pressure means of the fold-off rolls for performing the second fold of the printing machine product.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide sensing elements on the pressure devices on one of the nipping rollers for controlling the power-operated pressure means for the springs of the fold-off rolls.

Various further and more specific purposes, features and advantages will clearly appear from the detailed description given below taken in connection with the accompanying drawing which forms part of the specification and illustrates merely by way of example one embodiment of the device of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the following description and in the claims, parts will be identified by specific names for convenience, but such names are intended to be generic in their application to similar parts as the art will permit. Like reference characters denote like parts in the drawing which shows the diagram of a doublefolder of a rotary web-printing machine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now in more detail to the drawing illustrating a preferred embodiment by which the invention may be realized there is shown a double-folder 10 which consists of two identical independent single folders ill and 12. While one of the two single folders will not be described in more detail, it is un derstood that same numerals in both folders denote the same parts.

One or more paper webs 113 are pulled over the conventional, triangularly shaped former folder M. Web 13 is folded longitudinally thereon in a continuous operation. Guide rollers 15 near the lower end of former 14 are arranged for properly leading the longitudinally folded web to a first pair of nipping rollers I6, 17. The fold of web or webs 13 is perfected by nipping rollers l6, 17 which are driven by the folder drive (not shown in the drawing) and are actually pulling web or webs 13. In order to keep a firm grip on web or webs l3, rollers l6 and 17 are pressed against one another in a preset position, by the force of elastic means such as springs 19 and 2G. Roller 17 is rotatably located in levers 21 which are pivotally mounted on studs 22. The upper ends 23 of levers 21 are held between the spring rods 24, 25 of springs I9 and 20, respectively. The force of spring 18 keeps roller 16 in the preset position thereof under the preset pressure against rollers 17. The setting of rollers 16 is adjustable by way of an electric motor 26 and a suitable gearing arrangement in a small gearbox 27. Provision for cocking of the position of roller 116 is manually performed by a handwheel 28 after having reset roller M to a prearranged parallel zero" position.

A second pair of nipping rollers 36, 37 are located below the first pair of nipping rollers 16, 17. Nipping rollers 36, 37 are also driven by the folder drive (not shown in the drawing) for holding web (or webs) 13 under tension and for forwarding them to the cutting cylinder 51 and to the folding blade cylinder 52. In order to perform this operation, rollers 36, 37 are pressed against one another by the force of elastic and resilient means such as springs 39 and 40 in a similar manner as it is the case of nipping rollers l6, 1']. Roller 37 is rotatably located in levers M which are pivotally mounted on studs 42. The upper ends 43 of levers 41 are held between the spring rods 44, 45 of springs 39 and 40, respectively. The force of spring 38 keeps roller 36 in the preset position thereof under a certain pressure against roller 37. The setting of roller 36 is adjustable by way of an electric motor 436 and a suitable gear ing arrangement in a small gearbox 47. Cooking of the position of roller 36 can be set by a hand wheel 48 in the manner described for roller 16.

Below folding blade cylinder 52 the conventional folding rolls 53, 54 are located, which are pressed against one another by springs or the like elastic elements 55, 56, a minimum pressure force of which is preset. The relative position of rolls 53, 54 with respect to one another with respect to parallelity thereof can be manually adjusted by means of a handwheel 57. An electric motor 58 is attached to a gearbox 59 containing a suitable gearing arrangement for adjusting the pressure between folding rolls 53, 54 as it will be described below.

The products, after having been transversally folded by folding rolls 53, 54 drop into the pockets of a rotating fan wheel 60 by which they are laid down on the delivery belts 61.

Sensing elements 29, 30 are placed on the right and onthe left side respectively, of lever end 23. Elements 29, 30 may consist of microswitches, proximity switches, strain gauges or the like highly sensitive probes which are apt to send signals of any displacement of roller 21 to gearbox 27 which contains also the necessary electronic gear or control means for converting the signals to control impulses for motor 26 for adjusting the setting of the position of roller 16. A similar pair sensing elements 31, 32 is placed on lever end 43 in the same manner and for the same effect on nipping rollers 36, 37. A pair of sensing elements transmit signals to gearbox 59 which are converted therein to impulses for motor 58 for adjusting of the pressure forces of springs 55 and 56. Any operation of motor 58 adjusts both rolls 53 and 54 and springs 55, 56 by way of a connecting mechanism, which does not form a part of this specification and which has been omitted from the drawing. Dial indicators 62 are electrically connected with gearbox 59 in order to enable the machine operator to adjust and correct the elastic pressure between folding rolls 53, 54, overriding the initially preset pressure. Provision is also made in the gearing arrangement of gearbox 59 for switching the rate of adjusting of the elastic pressure for straight runs to collect run products in connection with the corresponding switching device on the folding cylinder.

THE OPERATION When a plurality of paper webs 13 has been printed and guided to the folder, this bundle of webs is forwarded to and pulled over former folder 14 where these webs are longitudinally folded together. Obviously the number of paper layers is thereby doubled and both pairs of nipping rollers, i.e., 16, 17 and 36, 37 have been set to such safe pressure that the web is correctly propelled and is kept in a state of adequate tension. The folding rolls 53, 54 which perform the transversal, second fold, have been similarly set to a corresponding adequate pressure.

When a printing machine is webbed for a production run, one web after the other is threaded through the units and through the folder until the required number of webs is eventually pulled together. During this process the thickness of the product is increasing; the automatic sensing and pressure balancing system of this invention provides the correct pressures under the changing conditions of increasing paper thickness for properly pulling the webs through the folder.

If during the production run of the printing machine one or more webs break for any reason, obviously the thickness of the remaining bundle of webs decreases. Furthermore, if the inevitable loss of the firm grip of the nipping rollers is not compensated instantaneously, it is more likely than not that the paper running with approximately 2,000 ft. per minute will jam up at this point because it is no longer carried away properly. Sensing elements 29, 30 and 31, 32 will feed instantaneously the corresponding signal of the deviation from the set balance of the nipping rollers to gearboxes 27 and 47, respectively, where the signals are converted into impulses for causing motors 26 and 46, respectively, to readjust the pres sure force of the nipping rollers 16 and 36, respectively.

Second, the foldin rolls 53, 54 would fail to fold and to propel the product into an delivery wheels 60 because of the suddenly decreased thickness. In this area the severest jamming of the paper occur, and the cleaning of the mechanism takes much time interrupting the tight schedule of the production. As it has been described before, such jamming may also cause severe damages to folding cylinders and to their mechanisms. Therefore the sensing elements 33, 34 are arranged on spring 38 for transmitting a signal corresponding to the disturbance to gearbox 59 for causing motor 58 to readjust folding rolls 53, 54. Dial means 62 is to enable the machine operator to properly adjust and correct the pressure between fold rolls 53, 54 and to show the changes of the pressures of the folding rolls.

While the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to a certain preferred example which gives satisfactory results, it will be understood by those skilled in the art after understanding the principle of the invention, that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. A folder of a rotary web-printing machine having at least one set of web-folding devices, each set comprising one former folder, two pairs of nipping rollers, one cutting and one folding cylinder, one pair of folding rolls, pivotally mounted levers for holding at least one of the nipping rollers of each of said two pairs with said levers having extensions, first adjustable means applying a pressure force against opposite sides of said extensions in a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis of the levers and having a resultant force in one direction, second adjustable means applying a pressure force against each other one of the nipping rollers of each said two pairs and having a force opposite to the resultant force of said extensions and in a sense tending to urge the two nipping rollers of a pair toward each other, motor-driven means for adjusting the pressure force of said second adjustable means, control means for activating said motor-driven means, and first sensing elements located on said opposite sides of said extensions with said first sensing elements having connections leading to said control means; said first sensing elements emitting signals indicating a change of position of said levers to said control means for causing said motor-driven means to adjust said pressure force of said second means.

2. A folder of a rotary web printing machine according to claim 1, said first and said second adjustable means comprising compression springs.

3. A folder of a rotary web-printing machine according to claim 1, having in addition third adjustable means on said pair of folding rolls applying a pressure force to urge said folding rolls toward each other, second sensing elements on at least one of said pair of nipping rollers, second control means responsive to signals from said second sensing elements for ad justing said third adjustable means whereby a change of posi tion of one of said pair of nipping rollers will cause said second control means to move said third adjustable means to adjust said pressure force of said folding rolls.

4. A folder of rotary web printing machine according to claim 3, said third adjustable means comprising compression springs and gear motor means for adjusting said springs.

5. A folder of a rotary web-printing machine according to claim 4, and indicating means connected with said gear motor means, said indicating means being manually adjustable for correcting said pressure force and showing the actual position of said folding rolls.

6. A folder of a rotary web-printing machine according to claim 3, and manually operable means on said first, second and third adjustable means for cocking said rollers relative to a basically parallel position.

UNI'IICD S'IA'IICS lA'lICN'l 01mm (5 I 1 if CERTIFICATR 01* CORRLLHON Patent No. 3,608,889 Dated September 28, 1971 Inven 0 Woessner et 8.1.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 3, line 25, after "elements" insert --33, 3 are arranged on Spring 38. These sensing elements-- Signed and sealed this 28th day of March 1972.

i SEAL) fittest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A folder of a rotary web-printing machine having at least one set of web-folding devices, each set comprising one former folder, two pairs of nipping rollers, one cutting and one folding cylinder, one pair of folding rolls, pivotally mounted levers for holding at least one of the nipping rollers of each of said two pairs with said levers having extensions, first adjustable means applying a pressure force against opposite sides of said extensions in a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis of the levers and having a resultant force in one direction, second adjustable means applying a pressure force against each other one of the nipping rollers of each of said two pairs and having a force opposite to the resultant force of said extensions and in a sense tending to urge the two nipping rollers of a pair toward each other, motor-driven means for adjusting the pressure force of said second adjustable means, control means for activating said motor-driven means, and first sensing elements located on said opposite sides of said extensions with said first sensing elements having connections leading to said control means; said first sensing elements emitting signals indicating a change of position of said levers to said control means for causing said motor-driven means to adjust said pressure force of said second means.
 2. A folder of a rotary web printing machine according to claim 8, said first and said second adjustable means comprising compression springs.
 3. A folder of a rotary web-printing machine according to claim 1, having in addition third adjustable means on said pair of folding rolls applying a pressure force to urge said folding rolls toward each other, second sensing elements on at least one of said pair of nipping rollers, second control means responsive to signals from said second sensing elements for adjusting said third adjustable means whereby a change of position of one of said pair of nipping rollers will cause said second control means to move said third adjustable means to adjust said pressure force of said folding rolls.
 4. A folder of a rotary web printing machine according to claim 3, said third adjustable means comprising compression springs and gear motor means for adjusting said springs.
 5. A folder of a rotary web-printing machine according to claim 4, and indicating means connected with said gear motor means, said indicating means being manually adjustable for correcting said pressure force and showing the actual position of said folding rolls.
 6. A folder of a rotary web-printing machine according to claim 3, and manually operable means on said first, second and third adjustable means for cocking said rollers relative to a basically parallel position. 